The Storm King's body was buried on a rise beside the Liurnia bridge, overlooking the entire plain.
There was no grand ceremony, only a simple stone tomb. Horace personally carved the inscription into the headstone with his sword:
"The Storm King, a warrior, rests here."
Led by Oleg and Engvall, the remnants of the Storm army removed their armor and surrendered together.
The soldiers laid down their weapons, formed long lines, and silently entered the prisoner-of-war camp Caria had hastily built.
There was no humiliation on the knights' faces, only heavy grief: their king had fallen in battle, yet they still lived. For warriors, this was an ending harder to bear than death.
Only the Stormhawk King refused to surrender.
The giant hawk lingered before the Storm King's grave for an entire day, letting out long, mournful cries. At dawn the next day, it spread its wings and flew south, disappearing into the morning mist without looking back.
It never returned.
Horace guessed it had gone to the Chapel of Anticipation. Which king was it waiting for?
Oleg and Engvall stood outside the prisoner-of-war camp, watching the Carian soldiers count the prisoners, their hearts filled with unease.
They did not fear death themselves-dying on the battlefield was an honor for a warrior, and there was nothing objectionable about dying by the victor's blade either. But they feared Horace would break his word... feared he would bury those prisoners alive.
They had already experienced this Carian regent's methods. He had no credibility whatsoever. Who knew whether he might massacre the prisoners to ensure stability?
"Would he..." Oleg said quietly.
"He won't." Engvall shook his head, but his eyes were just as uneasy. "He promised the king. He promised in front of both armies."
"But he's an Empyrean... can we trust his